Ousmane Dembele scored a superb hat-trick to help France top Group I at the 2026 World Cup.

The French team solidified their position as a top contender for the championship with a dominant 4-1 victory over Norway in their final Group I match. Although both teams had already secured qualification, Didier Deschamps' side showed absolute seriousness in defending their top spot, while Norway surprisingly left star striker Erling Haaland on the bench.

The solo show is titled Ousmane Dembele.

The match quickly became Ousmane Dembele's personal stage. From the 7th minute, the connection between the attacking stars was evident. Kylian Mbappe, in his role as a playmaker, delivered a pass that completely bypassed the opposing defense, allowing Dembele to run through and decisively finish, opening the scoring.

The immense pressure from "Les Bleus" caused Norway's defense to constantly expose gaps. In the 20th minute, Dembele once again sent the stands into a frenzy with a skillful left-footed curling shot into the far corner, doubling the lead. Although Thelo Aasgaard rekindled hope for the Nordic side with a goal to reduce the deficit to 1-2 just a minute later, that was all Norway could manage in the first half.

In the 32nd minute, Dembele completed his personal hat-trick with a skillful dribble past the Norwegian defenders before unleashing a low, powerful shot that beat goalkeeper Egil Selvik. The mobility and attacking prowess of the PSG forward were key to the resounding victory for the French team.

The turning point from the penalty spot and Mike Maignan's composure.

In the second half, Norway pushed forward in an attempt to find an equalizer. A golden opportunity arose when Theo Hernandez committed a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty. However, from the penalty spot, Jorgen Strand Larsen was unable to beat Mike Maignan's excellent reflexes. This save not only maintained France's advantage but also completely crushed the fighting spirit of the Norwegian players.

In the remaining time, coach Deschamps began to rest key players to conserve energy for the knockout round. However, the depth of the French team was still evident. In the final minutes of added time (90+4'), young talent Desire Doue rose high to head in the winning goal, securing a 4-1 victory after a perfect assist from Bradley Barcola.

Match statistics and starting lineup

With three consecutive wins, the French national team advanced to the round of 32 as winners of Group I, boasting a superior goal difference. This is a crucial psychological boost for Deschamps' team's ambition to conquer the World Cup.

This victory not only brought 3 points but also demonstrated the diversity in France's attacking options. When Mbappe was neutralized, the players around him, such as Dembele, or substitutes like Doue, were all ready to shine and decide the match.